A detailed analysis of patient safety situations reported to the OPTN is now available for review. The report, prepared at the request of the OPTN/UNOS operations and safety committee (OSC), summarizes safety situations reported through the “improving patient safety” online portal in UNet and other sources.
Of patient safety issues reported through June 2013, analysis reveals that 23% of the issues involved a breakdown in communication. Other common safety issues involved testing (16%), organ allocation or placement (15%), and labeling issues (10%).
The OSC is committed to inform OPTN members about trends and patterns in patient safety reporting. Updates to the report are anticipated to be published semi-annually. The committee thanks individuals and institutions that continue to submit patient safety-related incident reports to help improve safety system-wide.
